Tag Archives: David Pillsbury

The world is changing all around us and changing in a way that affects the way we live, the way we work and play, and the way we network with other professionals. On Friday, January 23rd, 2015, the house of delegates, along with the board of directors in Las Vegas, Nevada, voted to secure the future of the American Institute of Building Design.

This historic afternoon was aimed at making a more nimble AIBD, one that has the ability to embrace the rapidly changing design industry, and stay in pace with what professionals, both young and old find important in supporting their careers as residential designers.

Members will now belong to and have influence within a national organization. New members and those who renew after January 31 will pay dues of $289.00 per year. Chapters may charge a fee to belong, but it will collect them separately from the national dues and members DO NOT have to belong to a chapter. All Professional, Retired and Lifetime members will qualify to serve on the board of directors, vote on Articles of Incorporation and bylaws amendments, vote for officers and directors, as well as other important issues from time to time, formally events only the delegates could participate in.

Societies as we know them will conclude, chapters may be formed and all of the legal entities will be held under the national organization veil. These chapters may be what is now a society, or it could be a chapter formed (with 5 min professionals) by city or region.

Many of the things we’re doing will help us embrace the next generation of residential designer, the Millennial. From what we’re learning, this group is wicked smart, pretty easy to get along with and easy to break the ice with over a couple of IPAs. This bodes well for their participation in business. From a tiny 12% of the workforce in 2012, the Millennial generation will account for 48% of the workforce by 2018, filling the positions vacated by the retiring Baby Boomers.

With a new streamlined governmental structure, a simplified system of forming local and regional chapters, the AIBD hopes to continue development of new certificate programs, more events aimed at delivering better education, and an online opportunity for getting certified through the NCBDC, National Council of Building Designer Certification.

“In my opinion, this is the best time to be an AIBD member.” Says Bernie Kern, president and delegate in Colorado. “Looking forward to a great 2015 year with the AIBD.” Much, much more is to come. Stay tuned for more detailed information!

At their meeting last Friday in Las Vegas, NV, the AIBD House of Delegates voted to accept the nominations of Charles Smith, FAIBD (FL) and Vaughn Lauban, AIBD (MS) to Lifetime membership. Charles joined the Texas Institute of Building Design (TIBD), the AIBD Texas society, in 1974 and earned his CPBD (Certified Professional Building Designer) designation in 1988. Shortly thereafter, he was inducted into the AIBD College of Fellows.

Vaughn Lauban joined AIBD in 1984 and is also a Certified Professional Building Designer. He is the immediate past president of the Mississippi society. “Mr. Lauban was one of the founding members of our state society and has played a key role in our state society for 30+ years.” Says Mark Trochesset, the state’s current society president and Vaughn’s nominator.

To earn Lifetime membership status, the nominating members must be able to demonstrate to the house of delegates that the nominee, through continuous actions, deeds and duties, other than the usual and normal responsibilities, has contributed substantially on behalf of and to the betterment of the Institute. The nominee must have been a Professional member in good standing for a period of at least twenty consecutive years or twenty-five cumulative years of active membership.

Qualified Remodeler is seeking articles for the AIBD Designer’s Notebook column, now in its second full year. The Designer’s Notebook is an editorial focused on residential remodeling and championed by AIBD. If you have the desire to write about design challenges and solutions, case studies, opinions about design, architecture in general, inspirations, gripes and complaints about trends, top 10 lists…practically anything that relates to residential remodeling, QR wants to hear from you.

No prior writing experience is necessary. Professional editors are standing by. Images are preferred with each article. Photos should be high-resolution, 8”x10” dimensions or approximately 2400×3200 pixels (an 8 megapixel camera or better should accomplish this). Photos are great! But other images to consider include drawings, renderings and even napkin sketches! QR will go over all of this with each author one-at-one.

Approximately 125,000 housing industry professionals packed the aisles at Design & Construction Week,™ which ended last Thursday. Now in its second year, the co-located mega-event included the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show (IBS), the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, the International Window Coverings Expo, The International Surface Event and the Las Vegas Market. Overall, Design & Construction Week boasted 3,750 exhibitors and 4.7 million net square feet of exhibit space.

“This has been the best show we have experienced since the economic downturn,” said Jerry Konter, chair of the NAHB Convention and Meetings Committee. “You felt a great energy the moment you hit the show floor, as builders and exhibitors continue to benefit from the recovering economy.”

On the show floor, exhibitors fielded questions about technologies that didn’t even exist five years ago, including smart phone-controlled home automation systems for security, lighting and entertainment that have only been available for high-end custom homes with big price tags.

Attendees crowded the aisles for a show that almost overwhelmed taxis, hotels, and restaurants in what the Las Vegas Conventions and Visitors Authority believe to be a record-setting week for visitation.

“The exhibit halls were packed from end to end and the energy on the show floor was amazing,” said newly elected NAHB Chairman Tom Woods, a home builder from Blue Springs, Mo. “Design & Construction Week was truly a unique one-stop shopping extravaganza for all those involved in the residential construction industry, and this mega-event will be a great springboard for housing in the year ahead.”

CLICK HERE to download information about the society meeting rescheduled for February 12, 2015. Hampton, NH has been chosen as a central location to make it a reasonable drive for everyone. Come and enjoy lunch with your peers and get up to date on local and national issues.

Please RSVP as soon as possible by writing Kathryn Joiner at kjoiner@megalink.net or by calling her mobile phone number 207-740-5558.